THE AMBER AMULET by Craig Silvey, Book Review

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The Amber Amulet Synopsis:

Dear Sir/Ma’am,

Please find enclosed this AMBER AMULET. That must sound unusual to a citizen, but you will have to trust me on this count because the science is too detailed for me to outline here. All you need to know is that the AMBER AMULET will eliminate your unhappiness by counteracting it with POSITIVE ENERGY. This should see you straight. Fear not, you’re in safe hands now.

Take care,

The Masked Avenger

Meet twelve-year-old Liam McKenzie, who patrols his suburban neighbourhood as the Masked Avenger – a superhero with powers so potent not even he can fully comprehend their extent.

Along with his sidekick, Richie the Powerbeagle, he protects the people of Franklin Street from chaos, mayhem, evil and low tyre pressure – but can he save them from sadness?

This perfect jewel of a book by the award-winning author of the 2009 Book of the Year Jasper Jones will hold all readers in its irresistible power.

BOOK REVIEW

The Amber Amulet is the most recent literary offering from talented Aussie author Craig Silvey. It’s a bite-sized at only 96 pages and 65 minutes in the audio format I consumed it in. Although told from a child’s perspective, the mature vocabulary and the humour and poignancy of that child’s observations will be best appreciated by an adult audience.

The audio narration by Grant Cartwright was crisp and clear, and well-timed (listen to a sample). I also must mention how retro cool the cover art is.

It is difficult to review a short story or novella without giving away spoilers, and really, in a work of such length the aim is primarily to present a different viewpoint and/or evoke a particular emotional response. Here is my attempt to summarise my response to The Amber Amulet:

Adventurous spiritMasks, we all wear themUnderstandingLoyalty and lossEmpowermentTrying to find our place in the world

While The Amber Amulet is a feel good and uplifting story, and was a lovely way to spend an hour of my time, I strongly recommend book lovers read Craig Silvey’s full length debut novel Rhubarb to see his authorial prowess in full bloom.

About the Author, Craig Silvey

Craig Silvey grew up on an orchard in Dwellingup, WA. At age 19 he wrote his first novel, Rhubarb, published by Fremantle Press in 2004. In 2005, Rhubarb was chosen as the ‘One Book’ for the Perth International Writers’ Festival, and was included in the national ‘Books Alive’ campaign. Silvey also received a Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist Award.

Silvey’s second novel, Jasper Jones was released in 2009 and won Indie Book of the Year Award 2009, Indie Book of the Year 2009 – Fiction, ABIA Book of the Year 2010, ABIA Literary Fiction Book of the Year 2010 and the 2009 WA Premier’s Literary Award for Fiction. Jasper Jones was also shortlised for the 2010 Miles Franklin Literary Award, 2010 NSW Premier’s Literary Award, Christina Stead Prize for fiction, 2010 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction and the 2011 International IMPAC DUBLIN Literary Award and has now been adapted into a feature film.

Outside of literature, Silvey is the singer/songwriter for the band The Nancy Sikes!

I’m Jo, an Australian book reviewer. Since starting this website in 2009, I’ve come to realise I enjoy writing about books almost as much as reading them. I hope you enjoy browsing the several hundred reviews on my site and find your next great read today. Learn more & follow my reading adventures!

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